Sunday, January 28, 2007

THE FUTURE AWARDS - WINNERS & PHOTOS

By now everyone should know what the Future Awards are. For those who don’t, this is an awards show aimed at honouring and celebrating Young Nigerians (aged between 18 – 31) who are making tremendous impacts in various fields.

The awards were launched in 2006 and recently the 2nd Edition (The Future Awards 2007) took place on Sunday, 14th of January 2007 at the Muson Centre Lagos.It was a fabulous by all accounts. Well organized, colourful, glamorous and most of all, inspiring.What might surprise you is that the event was organized by the RedSTRAT team –Emilia Asim-Ita, Adebola Williams and Chude Jideonwo.These three young people are so accomplished that I will like to tell you about but I do not even know where to start.

Emilia is one of the brains behind SLEEK, publishers of the SLEEK Magazine, and the guys behind the Creative Academii

Adebola is the Producer of Nigeria International, which shows on the NTA Network, AIT Nigeria and U.S. and BEN TV in the U.K.

Chude is the hands-down the best interviewer in Nigeria! I am not even exaggerating. Read his interviews and you will agree with me immediately (Check out the 2006 Big Brother Nigerian magazine or any recent issue of True Love West Africa). Chude published his first novel, His Father's Knickers, when he was 13. He presently writes Sons & Daughters in Sunday THISDAY, for True Love West Africa and TAKAii.

To find out more about the RedSTRAT Team, Click HEREAnyway, here is the list of the 2007 winners as well as exclusive photos from the event (Thanks Chude!!!!!!!!! You Rock!)

THE WINNERSYoung Person of the Year:Tara Fela-Durotoye – Makeup entrepreneur, House of Tara and Orekelewa Makeup

Entrepreneur of the Year:Funke Bucknor – CEO, Zapphaire EventsEntrepreneur of the Year (Beauty & Style):Bola Balogun and Yemi Akerele – Exclusive Styling and Imaging ConsultantsModel of the Year:Doyin Haastrup

CONGRATS to the winners.All the winners get a night for couples during the exclusive Winners After-Party for 50 at the enchanting Miccom Golf Resorts in Ada, Osun State, they also got phones from Celtel and Ericsson, goodie bags courtesy of Tiger Tem, a free one year membership of the British Council, a choice of books from Farafina, autographed copy of Kaine Agary's book, Yellow Yellow, and one full day of pampering at the Venivici spa.

First, the RedSTRATA team members are so inspiring. The awards looked like it was fun, thanks for posting pics, i feel like i was there, LOL. A lot of nice outfits, make-up on point, fabulous young Nigerians, really awesome. And the biggest thank you would be for posting Segun Obe's pic, i used to have a HUGE crush on him, he's too fine, LOL. Nice blog Bella Naija, you shd get a future award next year for this blog and it's impact, it totally rocks! Have a great week:)

What the heck is up with Ify's lipstick? abi its to help her speak her fune better? Maureen looks like she's added weight.I'm not feeling Ebuka's shirt. Paul of Psquar's hair really needs to go, cant he learn from his bro? Ooooh who is Isio Wanogho's date? He's hot!! Well looking at the way she's looking at him, I think she thinks so too :( I love Chimamanda's ouutfit, and Michelle's own and a host of others, my Naija folks are so fashionable!Can someone please tell folks that blond wigs dont always look right esp when you can see the front and when it just looks straight up tacky??? I wish more of our ladies would rock their own hair more often, and then people wonder why their head is bald underneath all that.

Not a lotta green sha. Outfits were okay. Cause I'm here in Yankee, I don't ever see anything special in the english clothes Naija people wear 2 events. I'm talkin bout evening gowns, jeans, halter necks.... all that.

I always love seeing them in trads. I think the trads r sooooo sexxxxy. Over all, I think I like Chimamanda's dress the best. I didn't see her standing in it, but even from her sitting position, i think it's great.

Some of the hair and make-up were down right horrifying sha... but anyways.

I'm surprised Guy Horny hasn't been here. He always makes it b4 I do. But today, I beat him 2 it.. yay!

I think Ify lookde gorgeous, didn't realise she was that prettyBukandy is still foine as hell...pity about his shirt.That model chick and her bloke...damn his suit was tight hehe and so was he.Big up to Naija, they are doing big things.Thanks Bella, keep up the good work!

@Vera...Lets not try to compare it to the Grammys or even Billboard Awards...HABA...they have been at it for YEARS!! Na small , small... And even in regards to fashion we are still in our beginning stages... Most likely they all wanted to look different , whether they achieve it or not is another story...

I love stuff like this. Makes me proud to be Nigerian when it can often be difficult to muster up Naija pride. I strongly believe that young people are the future of our lovely country and it is a good thing to see their/our efforts being recognized. Thanks Bella for loudly singing Naija praises. You do a great job!

Menn.the hasn't browse this place in while in ages. bella.. what's poppin. the dudes featured in today's post are really hot. esp. the first dude. can you link us up? what's going on. give mummie a shout tonight she misses you a lot.

well done bella as always. i just have one question. How come there are little or no pictures of the actual winners? Tara Fela Durotoye, Funke Bucknor, Omoyemi Akerele, Bola Balogun, D Banj etc. Na so so socialites like Lola P Square we dey see. Na wah i beg make we see acheivers abi no pictures?